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Dr. Thompson in SRQ Daily

Dr. Thompson in SRQ Daily

Libraries: A Campus Linchpin

BY DR. LARRY THOMPSON

Reposted from SRQ Daily article on 1/28/17

Since the beginning of humankind, we have shared stories. At first this happened through word of mouth, passing down our experiences to our kin, and then later through the written word. As literacy became the foundation of our society, writers took up their pens, and the printing press was invented, libraries were born to house the resulting stories and information for posterity.

Inevitably, newer and more efficient systems became the norm as the various revolutions, including the latest digital revolution, put the answers to every conceivable question (literally) at our fingertips. Which begs the question: With the ever-presence of the internet, what is the role of libraries in today’s society?

Ringling College of Art and Design this month opened the doors to a new, 46,000-square-foot “library of the future.” Over 200 students, faculty, and staff lined up from our previous library, the Verman Kimbrough Memorial Library, to the new Alfred R. Goldstein Library to pass 200 books in a ceremonial nod to our newest facility. The doors were then opened for students to go in and explore. Since that day, the students—millennials who were raised in front of screens of every size—have been excitedly exploring all of the nooks and crannies and bells and whistles that comprise their new library. Far beyond the impressive book and periodical collections of 65,000 volumes is the space dedicated to collaboration and brainstorming—essentially to “working out loud.” And, yes, working out loud means the former shushing that occurred in libraries is not happening in this one.

And this will be the role of the library on our campus and in our community. Yes, students and faculty can always ask Google or Alexa or Siri anything they want from any device anywhere. But this will be a space where they can work together, come together, research together and create together. And stumble upon a book or periodical they didn’t even think to look for. Or explore in depth a subject in a way Siri cannot possibly answer.

Through the progress of technology, millennials have come to expect and enjoy customized experiences from the brands and services they use. They want control over their user experience—from suggested playlists on Spotify to Coca-Cola labels that actually have their names on them. Taking that into consideration, we have to understand that libraries can no longer fall into the one-size-fits-all trap.

In the spirit of building a truly progressive library, we dedicated two floors to providing rooms and facilities in which users can move things around to create their optimal working conditions. They can talk to each other. And for those who want quiet time—well they have a glass enclosed third floor to keep out noise, filled with comfy chairs, a breathtaking terrace and quiet nooks. So this new library of the future now serves as not only an intellectual resource, it is also a student center, a student union if you will. I call it an “Intellectual Student Union.” What a concept. I wish my college library was like that.

We will always be introduced to newer, faster, more convenient ways of accessing information. But as a society, we need places to bring our ideas together and explore. This is the new and very old role of a library—and I look forward to the creativity that this facility will inspire on our campus.

Contact:

941-330-7436

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Staff

Co-Interim Director of Library Services

941-359-7582

Pat Mizak

Co-Interim Director of Library Services

941-309-4055

Alexandra Vargas-Minor

Digital Curation and Special Collections Librarian

941-359-7583

Janelle Rebel

Technical Services Librarian

941-359-7586

Janet Thomas

Instructional Design Librarian

Vacant

Instructional Design Librarian

Vacant

Library Technician III (Cataloging and Metadata Assistant)

941-359-7631

Lisa Martinez

Library Technician II (Periodicals and Interlibrary Loan)

Vacant

Library Technician III (Circulation Manager)

941-359-7587

Tim DeForest

Library Technician III (Acquisitions Manager/Office Support)

941-359-7584

Yolanda Coleman

Library Technician II (Assistant Circulation Manager)

941-359-7587

Christina Song

Circulation Assistant

Jean Ferderber

Circulation Assistant Sooyeon Baek
Circulation Assistant James Harrison

Borrowing

Patron Type # of Items Type of Material Borrowing Time
Student 40 Books 3 weeks
CDs and CD-ROMs 3 days
DVDs and Blu-Ray 3 days
Magazines (unbound) 3 day
Magazines/Annuals (bound) 5 days
Videogames* 7 days
Faculty and Staff 40 Books 6 weeks
CDs and CD-ROMs 3 days
DVDs and Blu-Ray 7 days
Magazines (unbound) 3 day
Magazines/Annuals (bound) 5 days
Videogames* 7 days
Trustee, Alumni, Cross College Alliance, and  15 Books 3 weeks
Ringling College LibraryAssociation Members CDs and CD-ROMs 3 days
DVDs and Blu-Ray 3 days
Magazines (unbound) 3 day
Magazines/Annuals (bound) 5 days
Videogames* N/A
PreCollege 5 Books 3 weeks
CDs and CD-ROMs 3 days
DVDs and Blu-Ray 3 days
Magazines (unbound) 3 day
Magazines/Annuals (bound) 5 days
Videogames* N/A
Local Teacher 15 Books 3 weeks
CDs and CD-ROMs 3 days
DVDs and Blu-Ray 3 days
Magazines (unbound) 3 day
Magazines/Annuals (bound) 5 days
Videogames* N/A
Chartwell’s and Follett employees located at Ringling 15 Books 3 weeks
CDs and CD-ROMs 3 days
DVDs and Blu-Ray 3 days
Magazines (unbound) 3 day
Magazines/Annuals (bound) 5 days
Videogames* N/A
*The video game collection supports the research and teaching of the Game Art & Design program. Video games may not be checked out by Alumni, Ringling College Library Association members or Family members.

Spaces

The Alfred R. Goldstein Library features a wide variety of quiet, group study, and work process spaces. Looking for a quiet study area? Make your way up to the 3rd floor to look for a book in the Research Collection or peruse the new art magazines while relaxing in comfortable seating. When the weather is nice, you can take your coffee from Roberta’s Café on the first floor to one of the four terraces to work outside and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Looking for meeting space to get together with a group? Check out the group study rooms, which are available on all three floors of the Goldstein Library. The 10 group study rooms are available to students on a first-come first served basis, or available for booking by Ringling College faculty and staff for group and class meetings.

Library Hours

Library Services Hours (when classes are in session):

Sunday: 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Holidays and Breaks:
The Library is closed on holidays, as designated by the institution, and typically operates on a Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm schedule during breaks.

Ringling College ID Access Only

Please note a Ringling College ID is required for access, except from 8:30am – 4:30pm from Monday – Friday.

Hours for the Brizdle-Schoenberg Special Collections Center:

By appointment only from Monday – Friday 9:30 am – 4:30 pm, no drop-ins. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

Contact specialcollections@c.ringling.edu to schedule an appointment.

Visit Us

Ringling College of Art + Design
Alfred R. Goldstein Library
2700 N. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34234-5895

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Suggest a Purchase: Library Acquisitions Request

We welcome recommendations for new library materials from the Ringling College community. Librarians will consider all requests bearing in mind their appropriateness for the collections and the current budget.
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Email us: research@ringling.edu
Call us: (941) 359-7587

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